Double-throw electric switch with indicator.



PATENTED OCT. 16, 1906.

B. M. HEWLETT; DOUBLE THROW ELECTRIC SWITCH WITH INDICATOR.

APPLICATION TILED JULY 11. 1903.

Fig.1.

Dim M t W 5% WM UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD M. HEWLETT, OF SGHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

DOUBLE-THROW ELECTRIC SWITCH WITH INDICATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 16, 1906.

Application filed July 11, 1903. Serial No. 165,105.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD M. HEWLETT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, in the county of Schenectady and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Double- Throw Electric Switches with Indicators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to switches for electric circuits, and especially to those which shift the current from one circuit to another by what is commonly termed a doublethrow construction. Such a switch is employed, for instance, asa controlling-switch for a high-tension motor-actuated oil-switch, which for prudential reasons must be located at a distance from the switchboard and operated by a motor-control circuit running to the switchboard, where it includes a small hand-switch. An installation of this kind is shown in the pending application of Hewlett and Button, filed January 15, 1902, Serial No. 88,757. The motor is controlled by two parallel circuits leading to a double-throw switch, and the arrangement is such that the two circuits must be used alternately.

My invention consists in an improved switch for such a system, and it is so constructed as to advise the operator which circuit he must employ when he wishes to op.- erate the switch.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a switch embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view. Fig. 4 is an elevation of the handle-hub and index. Fig. 5 is a plan of the detent-plate; and Fig. 6 is a detail cross-section on the line 6 6,. Fig. 1. Y

In a suitable insulating support, plate, or panel 1 are mounted two signal-lamps 2, each in a separate circuit, and adjacent to them is a recess in the panel, in which is a flanged cupshaped nut 3, screwed upon a tubular neck 4, which projects from a frame 5, clampedby the flange of said nut against the back of the panel. The frame supports a plate 6 of insulation, below which are secured three springcontacts 7 7 7", forming the terminals of the two control-circuits in which the lamps are included, contact 7 being common to both circuits.

A stem 8 is rotatably mounted in the tubular neck 4 and passes through the plate 6.

On its lower end is a disk 9 of insulation, whose periphery has a metallic rim 10, which forms a bridging contact and has three segmental lugs 11 11 11*, the lug 11 being preferably longer than the others. The lugs and contacts are so arranged that normally they do not engage; but a quarter-turn of the stem will close a circuit from contact 7 either with contact 7 through segment-lugs 1 l 1 1, or with contact 7 b through segments 11 11 To return the switch to its normal open posi tion and retain it there yieldably, an arm 12 is rigidly secured to the stem, preferably by means of a sleeve 13, from which said arm projects.

The arm engages with a resilient retainer, preferably a helical spring 14 encircling the stem and having its ends overlapping the opposite sides of an abutment 15 on the frame 5 and clasping the arm 12 between them. A movement of the arm 12 in either direction carries one end of the spring with it, the other being arrested by the abutment. The energy thus stored in the spring is sufficient to return the switch to the off position.

A handle 16 is fastened to the upper end of the stem 8, and between the hub of the handle and the top of-the tubular neck 4 is a detent-plate 17, attached to said neck. Above said plate and concentric with the stem is an annular portion 18 of an index 19, which extends beyond the cup-shaped nut 3 toward the lamps 2. The portion 18 of the index has a lug 20, which lies between two shoulders 21 on the hub of the handle, as shown in Fig. 4. The space between the shoulders is greater than the width of the lug, so that there is a certain amount of lost motion. When the handle is turned, one of the shoulders strikes the lug and carries the index around as far as the handle is moved, preferably such an angular distance that the index will point at'one of the lamps. When the spring 14 returns the handle to its normal position, the lost motion leaves the index unmoved, but brings the opposite shoulder 21 close to the lug 20, so that the index will be carried to its other position when the handle is turned to close the other circuit.

In order to prevent accidental displacement of the index, a detent is provided, preferably one or more small rounded projections or knobs 22 on the under face of the index, adapted to enter sockets 23 in the deten switch, of. [an operatin -handle cator having a movement late 17. A spring 24. between; the handleub and the index keeps the knobs yieldingly in the sockets. A stop 25, on the frame and shoulders 26 onthe sleeve 13 limit the angular movement ofthe handle. I

In accordance with the atent statutes I have described the prinoip e of operation of' my invention, together with the ap aratus which I now consider to represent t e; best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it. understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention canbe! carried. outbyother means. l f vWhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United 1. The combinationv with an electric therefor, anindicator having a movement concentric with that of the switch, and l'ostrnotiontransmitting devices between aid indicator andrSwiteh,

2, The combination with a double-throwswttch, ofmeans. for yieldinglyholdin it in the oft osition, and meansfor visually-indicating t e; circuit last closed; actuated di-. rectly by the switch.

3. The combination with an electric switch having a rotary stem, ofan'indicator having a movement concentric with saidstem and independent 0t said" switch, and a lost-motion connection between said stem and indicator.

4. The combination. with an electric switch having-a rotary stem, of a rotary indicator'concentric with said stem and havin a movement independent of said switch, an a lost-motion connection between said stem and indicator.

-5.. The combi at on with an e ectri switch having a rotary stem, of a rotary indiindependent of said switch, a lost-motion connection between said; stem and indicator, and a yielding detent for said indicator;

6. ihe combination with an insulating plate, of aid-shaped frame having a tubular neck projecting through said plate, a stem rotatablie'in Saidneck, cooperating contacts on said stem and frame, and a cupeshaped neck, a bridg ng; contact on said stem, and a et n aid tubular neck bearin against theoppo'site s d s of-the nsulat g p fate.

, 71. The combination With' n nsulatingsupport, of. a U-shaped fname having atubular neck projecting through. said support, a,

plate of insulation. secured to said; frame, contactson saidplate, a stem rotatable in said cup shaped nut on said tubular neck-bearinga p ate.

States, is-

plate.

9. In an electr c switch, the combination wi-than insulating-plate having; 84 recess there n, fl rneck projecting into. said r ess,. a, cup shaped flanged nut. screwed on said stem rotatable in said switch-contacts on the frame an tem,

' means for yieldin'gly resisting the movement I of the stem either way from a central, position, and an indicator denoting which way the stem was last turned,

110; In an electric switch, the combination wi ha tubular suort, of a stem rotatabletherein, an index aving an annular portion concentric with said stem andprovided with a la handle on the stem, and sho-ulderson the iandleto engage with said lug; I

11. In an electric switch, the combination with a tubular su port, of a stem rotatable- .therein, an index concentric with said stem and provided with a lug, a handle on the stem, shoulders on the handle to engage with. plate secured to the support, below the index,

the handle.

12,v In an electric switch, the combination with a tubularsu port, of a stem rotatable therein, an index aving an annular portion concentric with said stem and providedvwith a lug, a handle on the stem, shoulderson the handle to. engage with said 1 plate secured to. the support'an containing sockets, knobs.- on the annular porti n ifth index, and; a spring for yieldingly eng ed with said sockets.

l3.v The com plate, of a U-shaped having its ar-aunt portions extending away from said plateand; havin a' tubular. neck projecting from its centra portion through said plate, a stem rotatable in saidneck, and cooperating; contacts on said stem and frame-.,

In. witness whereof I have hereunto set my I hand'this 9th day of July, 1903.,

' EDWARD. HEWLETT. Witnesses:

' BENJAMIN B. HULL,

ainst the-opposite side of the insulating-l v HELEN ORFORD.

E ng against theopposite side of the insulating neck, a. neck, cooperating aving an portion.

and a spring abutting between the index and,

keepmg said, knob of a, Urshaped; frame having a, tuba said lug, a dietent- 1 a detent- 

